Qin and Han · Ruler and Administrator

Liu Zhang 劉璋

Attested AD 211 - AD 214

Passages: 6
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Liu Zhang was a ruler and Administrator.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 211 to AD 214 Yizhou governor opposing Liu Bei
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 66

Places and affiliations

Polity Yizhou · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 66

References in the histories

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 37Volume 37: Book of Shu 7: Biographies of Pang Tong and Fa Zheng · 6 passages

益州牧劉璋與先主會涪，統進策曰：「今因此會，便可執之，則將軍無用兵之勞而坐定一州也。」 Yizhou Governor Liu Zhang feasted Liu Bei at Fu. Tong proposed: “Use this meeting to seize him—then you gain the province without a campaign.”

璋既還成都，先主當為璋北征漢中，統復說曰：「陰選精兵，晝夜兼道，徑襲成都； After Liu Zhang went back to Chengdu, Liu Bei was to lead a northern expedition on Zhang’s behalf toward Hanzhong. Tong urged again: “Pick elite troops in secret, force-march day and night, and surprise Chengdu;

璋既不武，又素無預備，大軍卒至，一舉便定，此上計也。 Zhang is no fighter and has left no defenses; strike once your army appears—this is the best plan.

楊懷、高沛，璋之名將，各仗強兵，據守關頭，聞數有箋諫璋，使發遣將軍還荊州。 Yang Huai and Gao Pei are Liu Zhang’s chief captains, each with strong garrisons on the choke points; they have urged Zhang in repeated memorials to send you home to Jingzhou.

今劉備襲奪璋土，權以濟業，負信違情，德義俱愆，雖功由是隆，宜大傷其敗，譬斷手全軀，何樂之有？ Liu Bei grabbed Liu Zhang’s land by ruse to build his power—breaking faith and wronging kin, failing both virtue and obligation. Even if his fortunes rose, he should have smarted at the moral wound; it is like hacking off a limb to save the trunk—where is the delight?

臣松之以為謀襲劉璋，計雖出於統，然違義成功，本由詭道，心既內疚，則歡情自戢，故聞備稱樂之言，不覺率爾而對也。 Pei Songzhi argues: The stratagem against Liu Zhang did stem from Tong, but triumph bought through deceit leaves a guilty heart—joy cannot run free; hearing Liu Bei boast of mirth, Tong answered rashly.